El Salvador’s crackdown on gang violence has drawn global attention, particularly for its notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
This maximum-security prison, located in Tecoluca, was inaugurated in 2023 under President Nayib Bukele’s administration as part of his relentless war on organized crime.
Designed to accommodate up to 40,000 inmates, CECOT is regarded as one of the largest and most fortified prisons in the world.
The facility was built as an extension of Bukele’s Territorial Control Plan, a controversial strategy that has significantly lowered crime rates in the country.
To ensure maximum control, CECOT is guarded by 19 watchtowers, reinforced by dual concrete barriers, and encircled by electrified fences.
Inside, prisoners are subjected to extreme restrictions, monitored 24/7 by an armed security force with zero tolerance for disorder.
Inmates remain locked in their cells for 23 hours a day, deprived of visitation rights, rehabilitation programs, and virtually any form of outside contact.
Reports describe prisoners sleeping on metal bunks without mattresses and consuming basic meals—often just rice and beans—without utensils.
The prison’s harsh conditions have led human rights groups to brand it a “concrete and steel pit,” raising ethical concerns about the treatment of detainees.
Despite international criticism, Bukele’s administration has boasted a significant decline in gang-related violence, cementing his popularity at home.
His tough-on-crime approach has transformed El Salvador into a model for security policies, attracting the attention of foreign governments.
Among those taking notice is the United States, which is now considering an unprecedented agreement involving the prison.
Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that President Bukele has extended a unique offer to the United States.
El Salvador has agreed to accept deported individuals from the U.S., regardless of their nationality, and incarcerate them within CECOT.
But this isn’t just about deportees—Bukele has proposed housing convicted criminals currently serving sentences in the U.S. as well.
This shocking revelation means that even American citizens and legal residents could be sent to El Salvador’s notorious mega-prison.
Bukele’s government has further suggested that the U.S. could “outsource” a portion of its prison system to El Salvador for a fee.
While the fee is described as “low for the U.S.,” it would be enough to sustain El Salvador’s prison operations and security expenses.
This deal, however, has sparked intense controversy, igniting debates over legal, human rights, and constitutional implications.
Critics argue that transferring U.S. citizens to foreign prisons—especially one with CECOT’s reputation—could violate international laws.
Human rights organizations warn that subjecting American prisoners to the harsh conditions inside CECOT would be a humanitarian disaster.
Legal experts also question whether such an arrangement could be enforced without violating due process protections under U.S. law.
Despite the backlash, Bukele’s administration insists that the offer would help both nations combat crime while generating revenue for El Salvador.
As discussions continue, the world is watching closely, wondering if the U.S. will actually send its own citizens into what’s been called the “world’s worst prison.”
Featured Image Credit: (Handout/Presidencia El Salvador)
